It has become something of a West Essex staple for students to approach assemblies and presentations about the environment with contempt. Last year, students punctuated every sentence spoken by a pair of visiting scientists with derisive applause that had to be shut down by the principal. Most recently, a viewing of the documentary “Food Inc.” elicited considerable mockery from some students.

Why is it cool to reduce the health of our planet to ridicule? What is so funny about degrading scientists?

Though there are legitimate intellectual debates to be had regarding the means by which we combat climate change, that dialogue is underpinned by irrefutable scientific realities. NASA data shows that global temperatures have warmed nearly 1.5 °F in the last century, and a report from the World Wildlife Fund shows that Earth has lost half of its wildlife in the last 40 years. NASA says that sea levels will rise 1-4 feet by 2100; the Arctic is likely to become ice-free by mid-century.

Before you make that “I could really go for a hamburger” joke after the next assembly, consider that there are real consequences to our actions—that there is suffering happening on our watch.

High school is a goldmine of comedic material; perhaps we might have the decency to hold the survival of our planet and its inhabitants in higher regard.